George Campbell, left, could be the first five-star recruit from Florida to commit to Michigan in the rivals.com era, if he earns the expected ranking. / Tim Sullivan / Special to the DFP

Written by

Tim Sullivan

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

The Wolverines have re-established their program as one of the nation’s recruiting elite. After coach Brady Hoke and company scrambled to land the No. 21 class in the nation in 2011 with just a couple of weeks to recruit, things have been on the upswing for Michigan.

U-M signed rivals.com’s No. 7 group in 2012 and followed it up with the No. 5 class this February. That was Michigan’s first top-five finish since the 2004 class that brought Chad Henne, Mike Hart (a lowly three-star recruit, to be fair), and Alan Branch to Ann Arbor. The 2014 class is ranked No. 13 in the nation, though it should reach the top 10 by Signing Day in February.

The 2015 class is following an even more explosive trajectory. Two five-stars signed with Michigan in 2012, but Kyle Kalis and Ondre Pipkins were the 17th and 20th players to pull the trigger. The 2013 group was even more extreme, with Derrick Green becoming the first five-star — and final pledge chronologically — just a week before Signing Day. The 2014 class could end with multiple five-stars, but nine Wolverines already were in the fold by the time the first five-star, Paramus (N.J.) Catholic defensive back Jabrill Peppers, donned a winged helmet on ESPN.

Two potential five-stars among the first four players to commit to a class is unprecedented for this coaching staff. Campbell could be the top wide receiver nationally when Rivals’ initial Class of 2015 rankings are published in late August, and the same could be said for Harris at running back.

U-M’s coaching staff spent its first couple of classes loading up on talent in the trenches and on defense. With a few offensive stars coming into the fold, the Wolverines could be setting themselves up for plenty of success.

Tim Sullivan is the football recruiting editor of The Wolverine magazine and thewolverine.com. He also is a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @tims_wolverine.